Hello all first thank you for taking the time to look at my question I am getting back into hunting and I have been on the side line for 30yrs I asked a question in hand guns and receive a great response from this forum and wish to ask another question. I just bought a new Savage 111 long range hunter in 300 win mag this is my first in this caliber and wanted to hear what you the shooters feel about 300 win mag ammo and if you also have this rifle what have you found as ammo goes, what it likes, I would like to use it for Deer, Elk and Ram and I would say I would think my shots would be 300 to 500 yard shots

I would also like to know of suggestions to scopes what's your pleasure for shots at this range

Well, that's a heck of a first rifle you got yourself there, congratulations ! As far as the ammo goes you'll just have to try different ones, the more you can try the better unless one comes along that's really accurate or is suitable for what you want. Not all of it will shoot the same in your rifle. It will also shoot differently in yours most likely compared to mine. As far as bullet weight goes, really you could pick one weight to hunt with for all the game you have listed. The 150gr weight really moves along in that gun and IMO you would need a really well constructed and tough bullet that would retain a high amount of it's weight. I don't have a 300 Win mag but, I would go with something in the 165gr class, a really good bullet. Hornady Superformance 165gr Interbond and 165gr GMX are both very good bullets. Federal has the new Copper Trophy Tipped in 165grs and this bullet is actually the Nosler E-Tip which is a very good bullet. Federal also has the 165gr Trophy Bonded Tip, very good ammo. Barnes Voretx with 165gr Tipped Triple Shock X, 165gr Nosler Partition. Anything loaded with the 165gr Nosler AccuBond would be a good load and Winchester loads the XP3, AccuBond as well as the Nosler E-Tip. The XP3 is made by Nosler for Winchester. Any of these loads/bullets would work very well for all of the game listed and the reason I say 165grs is because they are all very tough, well constructed, with high BC's and weight retentions so the 165gr would work just fine and you could just find one load your gun really likes. Scopes, gosh, there's so many that are good you really will just need to go look through some and see what you like as far as the type of reticle and it's size where boldness is concerned. Power wise something along the lines of 3-4 on the low end up to 12-16 on the upper end. Best to ya !

Fred243 Thank you for all the great knowledge I was looking a a Nikon bucknaster 4.5-14x40 waterproof in reticle MILDOT. Would have any knowledge on Reticle BDC and what do you perfer. again thanks for the info on the ammo Hope you have a trophy hunt this year

Like Fred has already mentioned, let the rifle show you what it likes. Concerning bullet weight I'd try opting for 165-180 grain bullets of tough construction. I've had some experience with Accubond bullets on game and they preform very well. There are lots of other good choices out there.

I have nothing bad to say about Nikon scopes. I have several rifles with 'em mounted and they have served me very well. I have the earlier version of the 4.5-14 Buckmaster with the AO. It's a heavy scope and has target turrets which are both negatives for a hunting rifle but works well on varmint/target guns.

Fred243 Thank you for all the great knowledge I was looking a a Nikon bucknaster 4.5-14x40 waterproof in reticle MILDOT. Would have any knowledge on Reticle BDC and what do you perfer. again thanks for the info on the ammo Hope you have a trophy hunt this year

For me personally, I've never been a fan of the BDC type reticles or the mildots. Never liked all the stuff in my line of sight. A couple of my scopes have target turrets on them and one of the Buckmasters ( on the 243 ) has a custom dial that Nikon offers through their Spot-On program. You just have to be sure and hang on to your original dial that came with the scope because the custom dial is for one specific load only. It's pretty neat though, it's good to go out to 620 yards, just range and turn the dial. There's not anything I would shoot that far unless I found a range of that distance and it would be fun to punch some paper. How far are you going to be shooting/hunting ? With some of the ammo's on the market today, the 165grs from the 06 are flat enough that with a 200 yard zero it will only be 7-8 inches low at 300 yards, out to 300 yards you would not have to aim over a deer or elk to make a shot. Maybe move up to the top of the back on a deer, but shouldn't have to give up the target out to 300 yards.

Nice choice in rifles.
The 300 Win Mag will do better, especially when you are talking about Elk, with 180 grain bullets. I run 180 grain bullets in my 30-06 up here in Alaska at 2770 fps (avg) and I'm very happy with performance and range.

The biggest piece of advice I can give you now after the good ideas the guys gave you about trying different ammo to see what your rifle likes, is to not pinch pennies on your scope. If you can't see it, you can't shoot it.

Nikon makes a good scope, but I'd be looking into the Monarch line there, Leupold and their VX-3 line, Burris Signature and if so inclined Zeiss Conquest.

Great rifle you got there! I would try out Nosler 180gr. Accubonds, good all around bullet for everything from deer on up to moose. For a scope, a Bushnell Elite 6500 in either a 2.5-16x or a 4.5-30x. I have the 4.5-30 on my 280 rem, I absolutely love it. It has enough low end power for close range shots or on the high end it is really nice at long range or for precision shooting on the range. I have Leupolds also but to be honest I give the Bushnell Elite 6500 a better rating as far as clarity and light transmition, and that is saying alot coming from me. I have been a Leupold fan all of my life.

Well thank you for the welcome to the forum first and Thank you for the compliments on my choice of long rifle with this rifle I was originally thinking of shots from 300 to 500 yards for Mule Deer, Elk and Ram. I also just bought a Tikka T-3 lite in 308 and a Savage 10-FCP-SR in 308 too I had a Marlin 336 .35Rem with a Bushnell 4xBanner, these rifles I was looking at 50 to 300 yard uses for Deer and Hogs any other suggestions for use would love to hear. Another question on scopes would it be advisable to scope all with the same type. Thank you again for your comments

I'd consider the 4x too much for the Marlin and too little, if your eyes are like mine, for the 300WM. I'd probably go with a 2-7 or 3-9 on the 308s and maybe just a tad more on your Mag. There wouldn't be anything wrong with having the same brand of scope on all your rifles. Definately not the same scope though.

I agree with Monty where the scopes are concerned, same brand is fine but same specs I wouldn't. For me personally I would have something at least in the 12-16x on the 300 if you will be shooting out to 500 yards. Antelope maybe ! Those are some nice 308's as well, you've had some fun shopping haven't you ? Take a look at Natchez Shooter Supply, they have quite a few scopes on sale and usually good prices.

Hi Fred Yes one advantage of being single I don't need permission to spend money lol I do have a small question am I being realistic in my thoughts on the 300 win mag for the game I mention or is 300 yards realistically all one would be taking shots at and if 300 yards is really all one should or would be taking then is a 3-9x40 all that is truly needed

Well there's no doubt the 300 Win mag has the ability where 500 yard shots are concerned. A 180gr load will still have any where from 1750 ft lbs to 1900 ft lbs of energy still at 500 yards depending on the choice of load. There are some very very good bullets with high BC's that will retain their velocity very well. The real question is and don't take this the wrong way, but can you make the shot. If you practice at those ranges often and you have some good glass mounted on your rifle it most certainly is doable for all three of the game you listed. I do not think IMHO a 3-9x40 would be the best scope for the job though. A bit more power and a bigger objective lens for those ranges I think would be best, JMO.

Hi fred243 no offense taken and yes in my youth in the military yes I was taking shots like that but I must say the key word "youth" lol and I had better eyes too thats why I asked the question and if I have too I dont have a problem sneaking up on my game and getting in closer if that is what my eyes say I have to do. I sopped by a walmart today and was surprised to find some scopes I did look through a nikon 3-9x50 BDC Pro Staff and a nikon 4-12x40 Pro Staff BDC and liked the 4-12x40 the best I also looked through a Bushnell 6-18x50 Banner I did like the magnification but felt the clearity went to nikon any opinion on the two brands

Yes sir, I have two Nikon scopes and a Nikon range finder and they are very clear. The 4-12 Nikon of those three would be my choice. I have a Millet Buck Gold 4-16x56, 30mm tube, duplex ( medium ), reticle, side focus knob and target turrets. It's not the most expensive scope in the world but it is as clear and crisp as the Nikons and Weaver I have that was twice the price. They actually have stopped this particular model and getting one for $250-$275 I'm sure is doable. It's very well put together and all around really nice scope, I was hesitant at first but after I got it, man I love it. Personally I've never really like the BDC type reticles and mildots, just a little busy for me. By no means am I saying not to get it, we all have different likes. Getting closer is always a good idea and if possible I do it, if it's not possible then knowing I have the right set up to make a longer shot helps and eliminates any thinking or worrying about whether to take it or not. I would just say to get in plenty of range time so that you wouldn't hesitate at the worst possible time, if your patient and you have an elk 300-400 yards away eventually he will most likely give you a good broadside shot. Knowing the ballistics of your ammo and how much it will drop is important as well, you could zero that at 250 yards no problem. With 180gr load the 250 yard zero would have you about 3.8 inches low at 300 yards and about 16.4 low at 400 yards.

Fred thank you again for all the information Have you or anybody else ever bought a refurbished scope over a new scope and how did it work out and would you do it again as Natchez has many nikon refurbish in stock and I need to get 3 scopes and Im seeing on average $40 to $65 less for the refurbish and this could let me go up a notch on the glass and not take such a big hit on price.

Fred thank you again for all the information Have you or anybody else ever bought a refurbished scope over a new scope and how did it work out and would you do it again as Natchez has many nikon refurbish in stock and I need to get 3 scopes and Im seeing on average $40 to $65 less for the refurbish and this could let me go up a notch on the glass and not take such a big hit on price.

Your thoughts all.

I never have, but I would ask about any warranties if they still have one and also what exactly had to be done to it. I put one of these on a friends rifle and it's a nice scope, very clear, crisp, and easy to adjust and focus the eye piece. The reticle isn't very bold, but the price is right. Weaver discontinued the line !

Fred thank you again for all the information Have you or anybody else ever bought a refurbished scope over a new scope and how did it work out and would you do it again as Natchez has many nikon refurbish in stock and I need to get 3 scopes and Im seeing on average $40 to $65 less for the refurbish and this could let me go up a notch on the glass and not take such a big hit on price.

Your thoughts all.

I would stay away from Nikon period, there is a reason Natchez has so many refurbished Nikons, they are junk!!! They do not last, I have had several Monarchs and Buckmasters in the past that have literally started falling appart after a season or two of riding on bumpy roads with a 4 wheeler. Those refurbished scopes are scopes that have been sent back because of problems. Yeah you will save money but they only come with a 90 day warrantee versus a new one with a lifetime warrantee. Nikon has quite a racket going, they sell a scope, when it breaks the scope comes back they repare it and sell it again with a lesser warrantee so they get to sell a POS scope at least twice and dont have to warrantee it after the second go arround if the scope makes it past 90 days.

Dont go cheap on a scope! It is the most important part of your gun. Go with a High end Bushnell(not a Banner, they are junk, get a Elite series scope, the 3200, 4200 or the 6500) or a Leupold(not the Rifleman, get one of the VX models)! both are proven and are better than a Nikon. IMO. Nikon does have good optics but in my experince wont take the abuse of a 4 wheeler.

I just went and shot a friends Browning BAR in 300 WinMag- what a treat- it had the BOSS system for accuracy. We played with different weight bullets and tuned each one with the BOSS. I am sold on how it works. The 300 WinMag with the gas system kicked like a 308. I have to have one.

I would recommend 180 Gr. bullets for all your quarry . They will provide the needed penetration on Elk , and destroy less meat on the smaller critters ! Just find the one that your rifle shoots best , and you are good to go .

Thanks for all the information my gun shops in my area seem to be out of everything with this run up we just had I'm being told look to 30 days out before product will be coming back in. Has anyone else heard of this too, and pertaining to ammo on the 300 win mag what is a fair price for a good bullet as I don't have anything to compare in my area and should I be looking for something specific for the three targets (mule deer, elk & ram) thank you again for your comments